Recreation aide vs summer camp counselor

The differences between recreation aides and summer camp counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a recreation aide and a summer camp counselor. Additionally, a recreation aide has an average salary of $28,756, which is higher than the $25,617 average annual salary of a summer camp counselor.

The top three skills for a recreation aide include customer service, CPR and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a summer camp counselor are child care, kids, and CPR.

Recreation aide vs summer camp counselor overview

	Recreation Aide	Summer Camp Counselor
Yearly salary	$28,756	$25,617
Hourly rate	$13.82	$12.32
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	43,283	31,954
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

What does a recreation aide do?

A recreation aide is responsible for assisting with the planning of recreational activities, following the supervision of a recreational manager. Recreation aides prepare all the resources, guide the participants, maintain the activity equipment, facilitate the program, and reiterate the guidelines for the safe execution of the activity. They also ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities to be used. A recreation aide must have excellent communication and organizational skills, responding to the participants' inquiries and concerns, as well as performing administrative duties as the recreational manager advises.

What does a summer camp counselor do?

Summer camps are programs with different themes organized for children or teenagers during the summer months. Summer camp counselors are responsible for the overall supervision of campers and the planning and implementation of the different programs to give children a memorable experience. It is their responsibility to create a fun, safe, and rewarding environment for each camper. They provide counsel, support, and monitor each camper's individual development. A good summer camp counselor is reliable, honest, and has strong leadership skills.

Recreation aide vs summer camp counselor salary

Recreation aides and summer camp counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Recreation Aide	Summer Camp Counselor
Average salary	$28,756	$25,617
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $36,000	Between $17,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Bellingham, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Mississippi
Best paying company	National Park Foundation	St. Anne's-Belfield School
Best paying industry	Government	Education

Differences between recreation aide and summer camp counselor education

There are a few differences between a recreation aide and a summer camp counselor in terms of educational background:

	Recreation Aide	Summer Camp Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	Duke University	Northwestern University

Recreation aide vs summer camp counselor demographics

Here are the differences between recreation aides' and summer camp counselors' demographics:

	Recreation Aide	Summer Camp Counselor
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 39.8% Female, 60.2%	Male, 41.2% Female, 58.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between recreation aide and summer camp counselor duties and responsibilities

Recreation aide example responsibilities.

Manage funds and resources to include developing the annual NAF budget, which include submission and prioritization of program component requirements.
Maintain certifications of CPR, food service, child care, cleanliness, etc.
Promote and enforce safety procedures; render first aid and CPR, if certify, as required.
Plan and run daily recreational activities for at risk youth.
Operate riding lawn mowers, push lawn mowers, weed-whackers, edgers, chainsaws.
Organize and participate in activities with patients on and off the rehabilitation unit such as cooking and playing games.

Summer camp counselor example responsibilities.

Lead kids through daily activities and encourage their creativity
Create activities for children k-5.
Create PowerPoint games to enhance social skills.
Assist after school children pre-k through 5th grade with homework or school projects.
Organize and run programming to connect students with their Jewish life to the outside world.
Monitor children at all times, being constantly aware of children's medical conditions and food allergies.

Recreation aide vs summer camp counselor skills

Common recreation aide skills

Customer Service, 20%
CPR, 18%
Rehabilitation, 11%
Cleanliness, 8%
Recreational Facilities, 4%
Safety Rules, 4%

Common summer camp counselor skills

Child Care, 22%
Kids, 22%
CPR, 12%
Customer Service, 10%
Work Ethic, 8%
Summer Camps, 5%

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Recreation Aide
Recreation Aide vs Summer Camp Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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